Product application device

ABSTRACT

An applicator for the application of a product on a surface includes a base having a passage to connect a container holding the product to a distribution orifice of the base. A plurality of teeth are provided with each of the teeth having a free end and an end firmly attached to the base, and with the teeth projecting from the periphery of the distribution orifice such that at least one of said teeth includes an elbow between the free end and the end firmly attached to the base so as to form a reducer of the flow of product leaving the orifice.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This document claims priority of French Application Number 05 52587, filed Aug. 29, 2005 and U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/714,410, filed Sep. 7, 2005, the entire content of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the devices for the dispensing or distribution of a product, and in particular a cosmetic product. The invention is particularly suitable for the application of hair colorant products on the hair in the form of foam, gel, paste or cream.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION DISCUSSION OF BACKGROUND

“Cosmetic product” is understood to mean a product as defined in Directive 93/35/EEC of the Council dated 14 Jun. 1993.

Many devices are known that include a container and an application part equipped with teeth, at the base of which orifices open out allowing the product held in the container to be dispensed or distributed over the hair. In particular French Patent Application FR-A-2 782 614 describes an example of a device that includes two outside straight rows of teeth, with an intermediate row of teeth of less height between these.

In addition, US Publication 2005/0184091 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,688,314 disclose pump heads intended to be fitted to bottles, with these pump heads including several distribution orifices, and with each distribution orifice being surrounded by rows of teeth designed to comb the strands of hair when the pump head is engaged with a strand of hair in order to coat it with the product held in the bottle.

There is a need to refine such devices or provide an improved arrangement, in particular to allow application of the product onto strands of hair to be treated. When a user applies the product herself onto strands, she wishes to be able to selectively apply the product onto the identified strands without the product coming into contact with the rest of her hair. This result is difficult to achieve, insofar as a strand consists of a limited number of capillary, which does not allow a significant amount of product to be retained by capillary action between them.

The known applicators of the prior art do not allow precise measurement of the quantity of product released onto the hair. It often occurs that the product flows down to the end of the strand or settles on zones of hair adjacent to the strand. Typically, the product required to be distributed is generally held in a container with compressible walls, on which the user exerts pressure in order to force the product in the direction of its distribution orifice and to ensure the dispensing thereof. However, it is difficult for the user to proportion the force which she applies to these walls on the one hand to start the flow and then to regulate it.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention can meet the above need with a new applicator for the application of a product on a surface. By way of example, a preferred embodiment includes an applicator having a base which includes a passage to connect a container holding the product to a distribution orifice of the base. A plurality of teeth are provided, with each one of the teeth having a free end and an end firmly attached to the base, and with the teeth projecting from the periphery of the distribution orifice. In addition, at least one of the teeth includes an elbow between its free end and its end firmly attached to the base so as to form a reducer of the flow of product leaving the orifice.

One of the advantages of an applicator according to the invention is that it is not very expensive to manufacture insofar as it is easy to mould and release. By way of example, the tooth or teeth including an elbow can be released with force, by undergoing a slight twisting on being removed from the mould.

According to one of the advantages of such an applicator, the user can also see the product which starts to run out or flow from the distribution orifice, but which is still retained between the teeth projecting around this orifice. The user can therefore regulate the flow of product by this indication of product present between the projecting teeth.

By way of example, some of the teeth can be arranged along a closed curve, such that the free end of one of these teeth extends towards the interior of the curve. The term “curved” should be understood in a broad sense and includes successive rows of teeth arranged along a trajectory comprising one or more straight segments, with this trajectory forming, for example, a regular or irregular polygon, such as a rectangle or rhombus. In one example of an embodiment the aforementioned curve is circular.

For example, the teeth which are arranged along a closed curve can each present their free end converging towards an axis passing through the center of gravity of the curve.

A tooth can have a non-straight structure between its bottom portion firmly attached to the base and its free end. In particular, a tooth can include at least one point of inflection forming the elbow.

According to a described example, a bottom portion of a tooth including the end firmly attached to the base can extend along a first axis perpendicular to the plane in which the outlet orifice is defined, while a final portion of this tooth, including the free end of the tooth, can extend along a second axis secant with the first axis.

By way of example, such a bottom portion can have a length along the first axis less than a third, and preferably about 1/10th or less, of the total length of this tooth, with the total length of a tooth corresponding to the cumulated length of the length of the bottom portion and of the length of the final portion, along their respective longitudinal axes. For example, the length of this bottom portion can be less than 3 mm, and preferably about 0.5 mm. Also by way of example, this length preferably represents between 2 and 20%, and more preferably between 5 and 10%, of the total length of the tooth.

According to one particular example of an embodiment, the second axis forms an acute angle with the first axis. For example, this acute angle is about 30°, and alternatively ranges between 20° and 90°. In particular, the more acute the angle, the more significant the length of the bottom portion will be relative to the total length of said tooth.

Also by way of example, a tooth can include a decreasing section from its end firmly attached to the base up to its free end. Also by way of example, in the case where the tooth is truncated, its cross section can be substantially circular and the diameter of this cross section can vary for example between 0.6 and 0.4 mm from the base up to its free end.

For example, spaces between the teeth can be such that they allow the passage of hair between the teeth, in particular to permit relative motion or translation between said applicator and a strand of hair with which it is engaged.

According to one particular example of an embodiment, the applicator includes a symmetrical axis of revolution.

Also by way of example, the applicator can include a plurality of distribution orifices for the product, with these orifices being surrounded by the plurality of teeth.

The teeth can be made from an elastically deformable material. For example, they can be made of natural or synthetic rubber or a thermoplastic elastomer. They can be produced, for example, by injection-moulding of a thermoplastic material.

By way of example, the teeth can be made integrally with the base. Further, industrial moulding techniques can be used, which allows an applicator to be manufactured at a very low cost price.

The teeth can be arranged, for example, so as to define a truncated portion such that the free ends of these teeth delimit the smaller diameter cross section of this truncated portion.

Also by way of example, the applicator can be provided with a removable stopper to seal the distribution orifice. This removable stopper can be retained, for example, by clicking or snapping onto the applicator.

According to an example of the invention, a device for the distribution of a product is provided which includes a container holding the product to be distributed, and an applicator according to the invention. The applicator is arranged to be fitted on the container so that an orifice of the container has fluidic connection or communication with the distribution orifice of the applicator.

By way of example, the container of such a device can be moulded in such a manner as to provide a handy or convenient grip. The container can also include a compressible wall so as to facilitate the dispensing of a product. For example, with such a device, the applicator can be fitted detachably on the container. In this case, the container can be initially filled with the product and then the applicator can be fitted on the container. Preferably, the applicator is already provided with its stopper before the applicator is fitted on the container, and the container is then sealed.

As should be apparent, the invention can provide a number of advantageous features and benefits. It is to be understood that, in practicing the invention, an embodiment can be constructed to include one or more features or benefits of embodiments disclosed herein, but not others. Accordingly, it is to be understood that the preferred embodiments discussed herein are provided as examples and are not to be construed as limiting, particularly since embodiments can be formed to practice the invention that do not include each of the features of the disclosed examples.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A better understanding of the invention will be gained from reading the following description in conjunction with the accompanying figures. The figures are offered purely as a guide and by way of example, and in no way limit the invention.

FIG. 1 is a profile view from slightly on top of an applicator according to an example of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a view from the top of the applicator in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a partial view along a longitudinal plane of the applicator in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a profile view from slightly below an applicator according to an example of the invention; and

FIG. 5 is a partial view along a longitudinal plane of a packaging and application device according to an example of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to the drawings, like reference numerals are utilized to designate identical or corresponding parts throughout the several views.

FIG. 1 shows an example of an applicator 1 according to the invention. The applicator 1 includes a base 2 provided with a distribution orifice 3 and an arrangement of teeth 4 projecting on the outer periphery of the base 2. In particular, these teeth 4 each include an end 5 firmly attached to the base and a free end 6.

The teeth 4 are preferably arranged on the periphery 7 of the distribution orifice 3. Preferably, the teeth 4 are arranged along a closed curve C, as shown for example in FIG. 2. According to the example of an embodiment illustrated, the teeth 4 are equally spaced on this curve, and the closed curve C is circular. In another variant, the curve can include straight segments and may be polygonal or ovoid, for example.

Preferably, the distribution orifice 3 is defined in a plane P, as shown for example in FIG. 3, in such a way that the curve C is defined in this plane so as to surround the distribution orifice 3. In particular, the periphery 7 defines an annular zone in the plane P.

In the illustrated example, the ends 5 of the teeth 4 arranged along the closed curve C are located at a distance from an inner edge 8 of the periphery 7 delimiting the orifice 3. They are also at a distance from an outer edge 9 of the periphery 7. In the embodiment illustrated, the edges 8 and 9 are concentric and circular respectively. For example, the diameter of the edge 8 ranges between 3 and 8 mm, and preferably between 4 and 5 mm.

The teeth 4 are arranged in such a way that at least one of these teeth 4 has its free end 6 towards the interior of the closed curve C. According to the illustrated example, all of the teeth 4 arranged along the closed curve C have their free end 6 inside the curve C. Preferably, the free ends 6 of the teeth 4 extend above the distribution orifice 3 so that projections along the axis Z of the various free ends 6 in the plane P define points located inside the orifice 3. These points are preferably equally spaced on the periphery of a circle C′, inscribed within the inner edge 8, with the inscribed circle C′ having a diameter ranging, for example, between 1.5 and 7 mm.

According to the illustrated example, the free ends 6 of these teeth 4 all converge towards an axis Z perpendicular to the plane P and pass through a center of gravity of the surface delimited by the inner edge 8.

In the example illustrated in FIG. 3, a tooth 4 includes a bottom portion 10 extending along an axis X perpendicular to the plane P, the bottom portion 10 being delimited on the one hand by the end 5 firmly attached to the base 2. The tooth 4 also includes a final portion or top portion 11 extending along a second axis Y and forming an elbow 12 with the bottom portion 10. The final or top portion 11 has a free end 6 facing the elbow 12. The second axis Y is secant with the axis X. In the example illustrated, the axis Y forms an acute angle of about 30° with the axis X

The tooth 4 has a length primarily illustrated by the length between the elbow 12 and the free end 6 in the example shown. In other words, the length from the elbow 12 to the free end 6 is longer than the length from the end 5 to the elbow 12. By way of example, the length of the bottom portion 10 relative to the axis X is about 0.5 to 1 mm, while the length between the elbow 12 and the free end 6 along the axis Y is about 4 to 9.5 mm. Alternately, the tooth 4 could also have a length primarily illustrated by the bottom portion 10, and in this case, the length of the bottom portion 10 could then represent up to 95% of the cumulated or total length of the tooth 4, for example.

For example, the tooth 4 can have a circular cross section, such that the outer diameter of the cross section of the tooth 4 decreases progressively as it moves away from the base 2. For example, the diameter can be about 0.6 mm near the end 5 firmly attached to the base 2 to reach a diameter of 0.4 mm near its free end 6. The free end of the tooth is preferably rounded off so as not to injure the scalp. As alternative examples, the teeth 4 can have polygonal or ovoid cross sections.

In the example illustrated, the teeth 4 arranged along the closed curve C are all identical and arranged so that their respective final or top portions 11 define the outer surface of a truncated cone.

To allow the distribution of a product, the base 2 includes a passage 13 opening out to a first end via the distribution orifice 3 and able to be connected, at a second end 14, FIG. 4, with the product. By way of example, this passage 13 can have a variable cross section between the orifice 3 and the second end 14, including in particular a chamfer 15 opening out around the orifice 3, in such manner as to gradually reduce the cross section of the passage 13. The flow of product, which can be dispensed via such an applicator 1 depends inter alia on the smallest cross section defined by this passage 13. In the illustrated example, the smallest cross section of this passage 13 is defined around or near the second end 14. By way of example, where the cross section is circular, the smallest cross section can have a diameter ranging between 0.5 and 5 mm.

The base 2 is intended to be fitted on a container 16, FIG. 5. For example, the base can include a skirt 17, including a retention arrangement 18 which cooperates with the container 16. The skirt 17 is preferably intended to be engaged with the outer periphery of a collar 19 delimiting an orifice 20 of the container 16. Preferably, the base 2 is detachably connected to the container 16. For example, the retention arrangement 18 can include a screw thread able to be engaged with a complementary screw thread 21 provided on the outer periphery of the collar 19.

In addition, to ensure the tightness of the connection of this base 2 to the container 16, the base 2 can include a sealing skirt 22 which can be tightly engaged, for example by friction, with the interior periphery of the collar 19.

In order to limit the flow of product which can be dispensed from the orifice 20, the base 2 includes a truncated portion 23 connecting the sealing skirt 22 to a lower face 24 of the periphery 7 of the orifice 3, with this lower face 24 being opposite the face of the periphery 7 from which the teeth 4 project. In the example, this truncated portion 23 extends to the outer edge 9 of the periphery 7, so that the passage 13 extends partly inside the space delimited by this truncated portion 23. The flow of product is thus gradually reduced before entering the passage 13. In the illustrated example, the truncated portion has the shape of a truncated cone.

In the case where product is packaged in the container 16 for storage before use, the container is preferably equipped with a stopper or cover arrangement 25. In illustrated example, a stopper 25 is fitted on the applicator 1 in such a manner as to seal the distribution orifice 3. In the example, this stopper 25 includes a needle 26 able to be inserted in the passage 13 to ensure sealing. The chamfer 15 can also serve to guide the needle 26 in the passage 13. Also, the passage can locally include an annular groove 27 in which an annular lug 28 of the needle 26 comes to engage.

In the illustrated example, the teeth 4 are preferably arranged around the orifice 3 and placed or arranged in such a way that they can become deformed in a reversible way if they are subjected to stress, for example, when the needle 26 is inserted in the orifice 3.

The stopper 25 is detachably fitted on the applicator 1. It can be retained by clicking or snapping on to the applicator, for example. In this example, the stopper 25 includes a mounting skirt 29 from a bottom 30 of which the needle 26 extends, with this mounting skirt 29 being equipped with a relief 31, for example in the form of a grain of rice or other suitable protrusion, able to cooperate with an annular lug 32 on the outer periphery of the truncated portion 24 of the base 2. In the illustrated example, the teeth are between the needle 26 and the skirt 29 when the stopper is mounted on the applicator.

To use a device according to the invention for application of a capillary or hair colorant product on strands of hair, the applicator is detached from the container 16, so as to fill the various ingredients, intended to form the product to be applied, into said container 16. For this purpose, in order to facilitate handling of the applicator 1 the applicator can include a zone 33 on its outer periphery which is ribbed in such a manner as to improve or ease the handling and grip of the fingers around the base 2.

Then, the user can close container 16 by the unit formed by the applicator 1 and its stopper 25 in order to shake the device so as to homogenize the product. In another variant, this stage can be omitted if the product to be applied is ready for use and pre-packaged in the container 16.

To carry out the application, the user removes the stopper 25 and holds the container 16 in such a way as to present the unit “upside down”, namely with the distribution orifice 3 located under the mass of product being dispensed, partly by gravity, and possibly under the effect of pressure exerted on the outer periphery of the container 16, if the container includes flexible walls. The product is then dispensed through the distribution orifice 3 and arrives in droplet form in the preferred example, due to the widening of the passage 13 between its end 14, in direct fluidic connection with the contents of the container 16, and the distribution orifice 3.

This product droplet preferably does not escape from the unit but can be retained by surface tension in contact with the teeth 4, in the space delimited by the arrangement of these teeth 4. The user then sees the product in the interstices of the teeth 4 and knows that application can then start. She then only has to regulate the flow depending on the angle at which the container 16 is held relative to the vertical, and possibly by adjusting the pressure which she exerts on the walls of the container 16 if one or more walls of the container are flexible.

To distribute the product onto a strand of hair, the user engages one of the ends of the strand between the teeth 4 in such a manner as to coat it with the amount of product retained by these teeth 4. The teeth 4 are preferably flexible in order to ensure the product is smoothed out as it is distributed by moving the unit along the strand in the direction of its opposite end. During such a relative movement between the distribution orifice 3 and the strand, the strand is preferably coated over its entire length. The user can ensure using such a unit, a continuous flow of product, by choosing the angle at which the unit is held and or by selecting or controlling the pressure exerted on the walls of the container 16.

Such a device enables a user to easily draw or treat strands with great precision and smoothness directly on her hair.

In a variant not illustrated, the applicator 1 can include several orifices inside the closed curve C, which is particularly useful in order to limit the flow of product around the distribution orifice 3, especially if the product is very liquid.

In another variant, the applicator can include several arrangements of teeth. For example, a second arrangement of teeth can be provided, extending from the surface 7 and arranged along a second closed curve surrounding the first closed curve C. The teeth arranged along this second closed curve can be straight and include a principal longitudinal axis parallel to the axis X, for example.

Preferably, the applicator 1 is produced from a single moulding of a thermoplastic material such as polypropylene. The container 16 is also preferably made from a thermoplastic material such as polyethylene.

Throughout the description, and claims expressions such as “comprising” “including” “has” or “have” should be considered as being synonymous with “comprising at least one”, unless specified otherwise. Similarly, expressions such as “including two” or higher numerical values should be understood to mean at least that number.

Obviously, numerous modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein. 

1. An applicator for the application of a product on a surface, said applicator comprising: a base comprising a passage which can connect a container holding the product to a distribution orifice of the base, wherein the distribution orifice includes a periphery around the distribution orifice; and a plurality of teeth 4, wherein each one of said teeth includes a free end and an attached end which is attached to the base, the teeth projecting from the periphery of the distribution orifice, and wherein at least one tooth comprises an elbow between its free end and its attached end so as to form a reducer of the flow of product leaving said orifice.
 2. An applicator according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of teeth are arranged along a closed curve, and wherein the free end of said at least one tooth extends towards an interior of the closed curve.
 3. An applicator according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of teeth are arranged along a closed curve, and wherein the free end of each one of the teeth converges towards an axis passing through a center of the closed curve.
 4. An applicator according to claim 1, wherein a bottom portion of said at least one tooth extends along a first axis perpendicular to a plane in which the outlet orifice is defined, wherein said bottom portion includes said attached end, and wherein a final portion of said at least one tooth, which includes the free end of the tooth, extends along a second axis secant with the first axis.
 5. An applicator according to claim 4, wherein the bottom portion has a length along the first axis which is less than one-third of the total length of said at least one tooth.
 6. An applicator according to claim 5, wherein the bottom portion has a length which is less than one-tenth of the total length of said at least one tooth.
 7. An applicator according to claim 4, wherein the second axis forms an acute angle with the first axis.
 8. An applicator according to claim 4, wherein each of the plurality of teeth includes a bottom portion extending along an axis which is secant to another axis along which a respective final portion of each tooth extends, wherein the bottom portion includes the attached end and the final portion includes the free end, and wherein each of the plurality of teeth includes an elbow between the free end and the attached end.
 9. An applicator according to claim 1, wherein each tooth comprises a decreasing cross section which decreases from its attached end to its free end.
 10. An applicator according to claim 1, wherein spaces are provided between the teeth such that they allow the passage of hair between the teeth and permit a relative translational motion between said applicator and a strand of hair with which it is engaged.
 11. An applicator according to claim 1, wherein the applicator comprises a symmetrical axis of revolution.
 12. An applicator according to claim 1, wherein the applicator comprises a plurality of distribution orifices surrounded by said plurality of teeth.
 13. An applicator according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of teeth are made from an elastically deformable material.
 14. An applicator according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of teeth are injection-moulded of a thermoplastic material.
 15. An applicator according to claim 14, wherein the teeth are integrally formed with the base.
 16. An applicator according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of teeth are arranged so as to define a truncated portion such that the free ends of the teeth delimit a smaller diameter cross section of the truncated portion.
 17. An applicator according to claim 1, which comprises a removable stopper able to seal the distribution orifice.
 18. An applicator according to claim 1, in combination with a container holding a product to form an applicator device, wherein the container includes an orifice, and wherein the applicator includes means to be fitted on said container so that the orifice of the container is in fluid communication with the distribution orifice.
 19. A device according to claim 18, wherein the container is moulded and includes a grip portion.
 20. A device according to claim 18, wherein the container comprises a compressible wall.
 21. A device according to claim 18, wherein the applicator is detachably mounted on the container.
 22. An applicator according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of teeth converge inwardly such that the free ends are closer than the attached ends.
 23. An applicator according to claim 22, wherein the applicator includes a skirt on an opposite side of said distribution orifice than the plurality of teeth, and wherein said skirt converges inwardly in a direction toward said distribution orifice.
 24. An applicator according to claim 23, wherein at least a portion of said skirt has a shape of a truncated cone.
 25. An applicator according to claim 23, in combination with a container to form an applicator device, wherein said container includes an orifice in communication with the distribution orifice of the applicator, and wherein at least a portion of said skirt of said applicator extends inside of said orifice of said container.
 26. A device according to claim 25, further including a stopper comprising a stopper skirt which extends over said plurality of teeth and a needle portion which extends into said distribution orifice, and wherein when said stopper is mounted on the applicator, the plurality of teeth are positioned between said stopper skirt and said needle.
 27. An applicator according to claim 1, further including a stopper comprising a stopper skirt which extends over said plurality of teeth and a needle portion which extends into said distribution orifice, and wherein when said stopper is mounted on the applicator, the plurality of teeth are positioned between said stopper skirt and said needle.
 28. An applicator according to claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of teeth includes an elbow between the free end and the attached end.
 29. An applicator according to claim 28, wherein a length of each of tooth of the plurality of teeth from the elbow to the free end is larger than a length from the elbow to the attached end. 